At Media Diversity Australia, our mission is to transform the Australian media landscape to represent the diversity of our nation authentically.
As a national nonprofit, we are committed to creating an industry that looks and sounds more like Australia. We drive impactful change through evidence-based research, customised programs, and strategic partnerships.
Our core values of collaboration, honesty, inclusion, action, and respect guide us as we work alongside individuals and organisations dedicated to positive transformation.
By setting the agenda, creating pathways, and partnering for change, we empower media professionals and advocate for a more inclusive and representative media industry.
Together, let’s build a media landscape that celebrates diversity and amplifies the voices of all Australians.
Our organisation was established by passionate journalists, Isabel Lo and Antoinette Lattouf in 2017. Drawing on their extensive experience and expertise, they envisioned a media landscape that truly represents and includes culturally diverse voices. Their dedication and vision continue to guide our work towards achieving an industry that celebrates diversity.
Isabel is the founder and chair of Media Diversity Australia. She is an advisory board member at the Centre for Media Transition. Prior to this she was part of the fledgling team that launched ABC News 24, Australia’s first free-to-air 24-hour news network. She later went on to work at CNN International in London and as the Editor of Opinion and Commissioning at Mamamia. She is the mother of three kids and lives in New York City.
Antoinette Lattouf is a broadcaster, columnist, author, TEDx speaker, diversity advocate, and mental health ambassador. The multi-award-winning journalist has been named among AFR’s 100 Women of Influence. In 2022, her first book How To Lose Friends and Influence White People was published by Penguin Random House. While she will always be a part of the family, Antoinette officially moved on from MDA in early 2023.
At Media Diversity Australia, we are guided by a set of core values that drive our mission:
We believe in working alongside individuals and organizations committed to making a positive change in the media industry. By fostering collaborative relationships, we can collectively achieve greater impact and drive meaningful transformation.
We are committed to addressing the changes necessary to improve diversity in the media. We approach our work with transparency, acknowledging the challenges while recognizing the immense opportunities that diversity can bring.
We not only value the aspirations and needs of diverse media professionals, but we also champion their voices. As advocates for cultural diversity, we actively listen to and amplify the voices of individuals from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, we stand as allies in supporting advocates for other forms of diversity, including gender, sexuality, and disability.
We believe in taking practical steps to drive change and enhance diversity in the media. Our initiatives focus on providing direct support to journalists, media professionals, and media outlets, enabling them to thrive in an inclusive environment.
Core Australian values of respect, multiculturalism, and a fair go for all underpin our work. We uphold these values as we strive to create an industry that respects and appreciates the unique contributions of every individual.
To achieve our vision of a media industry with full and equal participation for culturally diverse people at all levels, we concentrate our efforts on three key areas:
We advocate for the value of cultural diversity in the media, emphasizing its importance for the industry's role and success. By championing diversity as an essential component, we encourage meaningful change and recognition.
Through our tailored programs, we provide media professionals with the necessary tools and support to enable their full and equal participation in the industry. We are committed to empowering individuals and facilitating their professional growth.
As an honest partner, we collaborate with media organizations that share our commitment to driving change. By supporting and holding these organizations accountable for their diversity commitments, we actively contribute to a more inclusive media landscape.
Join us on this transformative journey as we work together to build a media industry that celebrates diversity, fosters inclusivity, and echoes the voices of all Australians.
